Paint Protection - Got my car Autoflex'ed with the concept silver during the reveal + Aero colorede

[dshen54]

Took a lot of time deciding weather I wanted xpel again on my new tesla vs auto-flex and weighing the pros and cons, I went with auto-flex this time and was deeply impressed.

Here's a video of my car getting autoflexed by PRODIPPER in NYC in a Satin/Matte carbon-sterling silver.

Before and after pictures below,

AUTOFLEX TESLA - Google Drive

If y'all have any questions about someone let me know !


Here's the tesla thread I've made there might be more info on there that can help you, some people are asking a lot of questions on there.

Tesla

 

[HankLloydRight]

That silver is sick. Congrats!

 

[USMCTM3Dude]

How much did that cost?

 

[dshen54]

For everything like 2600

I had the bottom doors done and wheels done. They usually do layers less but had 14 layers and they primed and buffed it and did a full interior exterior (Wheels and under) clean since I requested it.

It's usually a tad cheaper if you want the standard spray on. I think Hank did his for a tad cheaper since he was a repeating customer.

 

[Cascadian]

Hank, you had something similar done a couple of years ago, right? How does it look now? I'm seriously considering doing AutoFlex now that I've seen this thread, although I had planned on probably opting for XPEL satin, or "stealth", to try to get closer to the look of the silver of the pre-production silver 3. That one knocked my socks off -- the regular production car silver not so much. I'll be getting my 3 in the Sept-Nov "window" and want to be prepared. Trying to do my due diligence now so that I feel confident I'm not making a mistake in opting for the AutoFlex over the XPEL wrap -- with ceramic coating.

There is ONE AutoFlex-certified shop in my area, so I'm hoping to see samples of their work, but hearing from folks who've had this done 2 or 3 years ago would be most helpful!

 

[dshen54]

@Cascadian

I've done expel ultimate clear bra for my BMW awhile ago and do note that Autoflex is like 65 percent of the thickness of xpel so it won't offer as much but has the same healing properties as xpel.

His car is amazing however it's too bold for me haha XD. I'm sure @HankLloydRight will talk about it. Cops must really like pulling him over with his ticket me blue.

Please be VERY WARY of the installer skills in both painting and handling it. I would do research to see if they's are good or not because the quality of the auto flex heavily depends on the skill of the applicator and how they do it. It is something a professional with a good eye for layering and paint should do. This isn't like a wrap where you can half ass slap it on and it will be even. Too much paint = dripping , not drying it properly or applying too little = peeling or discoloration , uneven painting or layering = bad finish and won't have even light distribution/relection like OEM paint (Especially with the super metallic chrome type paints)

I've done the research with all the auto flex installers in NY and ended up choosing Phillips because he was passionate and couldn't stop talking about how they do autoflex and walked me through the step by step process. They invited me to see a live car being primed for spray and I had to clean myself before going into the contained spray booth.

The low key small details they do and they don't really talk about really adds up in the end to maximize the quality and finish of the install.

 

[Gavyne]

Damn that's hot. Reminds me of LIke Tesla on Youtube when they did XPEL Stealth on their silver Model 3. For 2,600 that's half the cost of XPEL Stealth. Seems like a nice option for people on a budget.

 

[CuriousM3]

Looks like the silver from the prototype model 3 that i was hoping for that didn't make it to production, congrats .

 

[HankLloydRight]

Hank, you had something similar done a couple of years ago, right?

Yes, I did a hypershift blue+purple tint (see thread here), but I sold the car early last year, so I can't tell you how it looks now. The purple shift looked cool, but was a little bit 'out there' so when I did it again on my P85D, I just want for a straight brighter blue (see thread here).

I've never heard of 'ticket me blue' before. But I never get pulled over because I have an Escort 9500ci radar+laser stealth system installed, which has saved my ass countless times.

 

[Cascadian]

Well, dshen54, I've done it! Dropped off my brand new 3 and will be keeping my fingers crossed for the next several days that the AutoFlex works out as well for me as it seems to have for you. Will post photos later this week.

 

[MO-T3SLA]

Probably a silly question, but could you theoretically get something like autoflex and then wrap in xpel ultimate? Or is that a recipe for disaster like I'm assuming it would be?

 

[Envious Eric]

answer is no

and the autoflex might be a paint to remove. I know a guy who was commissioned to remove it from an audi R8, door jambs and all. 25 hours

 

[Cascadian]

Okay, wow. It's been a long time since I first came across this thread and got the idea that I might want to try Autoflex on my 3 when it arrived. Well, after a lot of internal debate, I decided what the heck, I'll try it! The guy who worked on my new baby sent me photos along the way, and while it looked good, I knew that I wouldn't be able to really tell if I made the right decision or not until I laid eyes on the final result. This afternoon my socks were knocked off. We went to pick up the car and I felt such a combination of relief and thrill! I was so worried that I would be disappointed, but it looked incredible. Fantastic! Dom, the nice young man who did the work, posted photos on his Rose City Dip Facebook page:

Rose City Dip LLC

My 3 is right there at the top at the time of this writing. Lots of photos there showing the process. I really, really love the result. I was NOT excited about the factory paint, and I needed to LOVE my car. Now I do.

The photo I just uploaded here does NOT capture the stunning result. Photos just cannot do it justice.

And as a note to Eric above, I too was concerned about the removal should I need to do it. While doing my "due diligence" I watched online videos about Autoflex (check YouTube) and I guess that it depends on the skill of the installer as to how well it peels off. Seeing the process, I trust that Dom did a great job, and that I shouldn't have any problems with removal if the need should arise.

I will let folks know about any issues down the road, but all I can tell you right now is that I absolutely love the look of my new 3, and I thank dshen54 for sharing HIS experience.

 

[Sw0rdf1sh]

How long does the Autoflex last? Until you peel it off/5years/etc?

I really like this option and have my eyeball on a guy in NC who is doing it.

 

[Cascadian]

Well, according to the website of the guy who did mine, it's supposed to last 6+ years with "proper care". Now, Dear Hubby and I are keeping our beloved Model S for road trips, and it still looks amazing after 3 1/2 years. We got a complete clear wrap on that and it cost about twice as much as I paid for the Autoflex. We'll see how well it holds up in comparison. DH got his Model 3 several weeks ago, and he opted to just do a clear wrap on the front of his baby, so we'll see how well THAT works in comparison. Here's the link to Rose City Dip which has some info about Autoflex. I found that site after coming across this thread and researching Autoflex in my area, and again, I'm pleased to say that it's worked out beautifully. I love my car. See more pics of it in the website's "recent work" photo gallery. Beauty.

I will be updating here as I come across any issues. Here's hoping I don't! By the way, I opted to leave the Autoflex on the Tesla emblem, instead of having Dom peel it off after the spraying. I think it looks really cool "embossed" like that. See photo.

RoseCityDip.com

 

[dshen54]

Well, according to the website of the guy who did mine, it's supposed to last 6+ years with "proper care". Now, Dear Hubby and I are keeping our beloved Model S for road trips, and it still looks amazing after 3 1/2 years. We got a complete clear wrap on that and it cost about twice as much as I paid for the Autoflex. We'll see how well it holds up in comparison. DH got his Model 3 several weeks ago, and he opted to just do a clear wrap on the front of his baby, so we'll see how well THAT works in comparison. Here's the link to Rose City Dip which has some info about Autoflex. I found that site after coming across this thread and researching Autoflex in my area, and again, I'm pleased to say that it's worked out beautifully. I love my car. See more pics of it in the website's "recent work" photo gallery. Beauty.

I will be updating here as I come across any issues. Here's hoping I don't! By the way, I opted to leave the Autoflex on the Tesla emblem, instead of having Dom peel it off after the spraying. I think it looks really cool "embossed" like that. See photo.

RoseCityDip.com

Loving it ! How far did they spray ?

 

[Cascadian]

Here's a pic I just took of the "overlap" in the trunk area. It's so great to be able to compare the factory paint with the Autoflex right beside it.

I know that some folks prefer to also do more than I did, such as including the door jambs, etc., but it's not necessary, IMHO. Car looks great the way it is.

Loving it ! How far did they spray ?

 

[Kiomon]

So how has it held up for you over the last year? I am trying to get in touch with these guys to do my X, but would be great to hear how it is after a year or so?

 

[Burrito]

Curious as well

 

[Murattukaalai]

Now they charge $3300 it is about $1300 increase from this post for body only Autoflex on Model 3